A Grape Sensation

Delicious seasonal dishes for a happy holiday

(Family Features) By incorporating versatile ingredients into your holiday cooking, you can make a vast array of tasty seasonal goodies.

For example, California grapes are abundant throughout the holiday season and add taste and visual appeal to dishes of all kinds, such as Seared Salmon with Spinach and Grapes, Grape Caprese Salad Hors d’ Oeuvres, Grapes in Rosé Wine Sauce and Wild Rice Stuffing with Grapes and Hazelnuts. Plus, they’re an easy, fresh, healthy snack to keep on-hand for hungry guests waiting for the meal. With their natural beauty, grapes can also be used to create tablescapes and centerpieces for festive holiday settings.

5 Tips for Healthier Holidays

With filling meals and tempting desserts at every corner, it can be difficult to keep nutrition in mind during the holidays. However, these simple tricks can help keep you stay on track, while still enjoying the best that the season has to offer.

• Eat a healthy snack, like grapes with hummus and crackers, before parties to avoid arriving hungry.
• Bring fresh fruit to potlucks and holiday parties for a crowd-pleasing, healthy offering.
• Alternate high-calorie beverages with water.
• Create a party platter that assembles an array of healthy nibbles, such as fresh grapes, nuts, sliced veggies with a healthy dip, seasoned popcorn and olives.
• Practice portion control to avoid overindulging despite the bounty of homemade dishes from loved ones.

Find more holiday recipe inspiration at grapesfromcalifornia.com.

Seared Salmon with Spinach and Grapes

Servings: 4

• 1          teaspoon salt
• 1          teaspoon dry mustard
• 1          teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2       teaspoon pepper
• 4          salmon steaks or fillets (6 ounces each)
• 2          teaspoons honey
• 3          teaspoons olive oil, divided
• 1          large bunch spinach, washed and stemmed
• 1          clove garlic, minced
• 2          cups red California seedless grapes, halved
• 1/2       cup dry red wine

1. Heat oven to 325° F.
2. In small bowl, combine salt, mustard, thyme and pepper. Drizzle salmon fillets with honey and sprinkle with seasoning. Reserve any remaining seasoning.
3.  
4. In nonstick skillet or saute pan, heat 2 teaspoons olive oil. Brown both sides of salmon fillets over medium-high heat, about 4 minutes per side.
5. In baking dish, toss spinach and garlic with remaining olive oil. Place browned salmon on bed of spinach, cover loosely with aluminum foil and bake 8-10 minutes, or until salmon is just cooked through.
6. In skillet used to brown salmon, over medium-high heat saute grapes 1 minute. Add wine, bring to boil and reduce quantity by half. Season sauce to taste with remaining herb mixture.
7. Serve salmon on wilted spinach topped with grape and wine sauce.

Nutritional information per serving: 449 calories; 36 g protein; 20 g carbohydrates; 23 g fat; 45% calories from fat; 4.3 g saturated fat; 9% calories from saturated fat; 100 mg cholesterol; 730 mg sodium; 1,120 mg potassium; 1.6 g fiber.

Grape Caprese Salad Hors d’ Oeuvres

Servings: 24

• Extra-virgin olive oil
• high-quality, aged balsamic vinegar
• freshly ground black pepper
• 24        decorative bamboo skewers
• 24        red seedless California grapes
• 24        fresh basil leaves
• 24        small, fresh mozzarella balls
• sea salt

1. On serving plate or platter, drizzle olive oil and balsamic vinegar, as desired. Sprinkle with pepper.
2. To assemble skewers: On each skewer, add one red grape, one small basil leaf and one ball fresh mozzarella.
3. Lay skewers on serving platter and sprinkle with dash of sea salt.

Nutritional information per serving: 44 calories; 2.5 g protein; 1 g carbohydrates; 3 g fat; 64% calories from fat; 11 mg cholesterol; 20 mg sodium; .07 g fiber.

Grapes in Rosé Wine Sauce

Servings: 4

• 1 1/2    cups rosé wine
• 1/2       cup sugar
• 1/2       vanilla bean, split
• 1          pinch salt
• 3          cups halved red, green or black California grapes

1. In large skillet, bring wine, sugar, vanilla bean and salt to boil, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Stir in grapes and let cool.
2. Serving suggestion: Pour warm grapes over creme fraiche or vanilla ice cream.

Nutritional information per serving: 250 calories; 0 g protein; 49 g carbohydrates; 0 g fat (0% calories from fat); 0 g saturated fat (0% calories from saturated fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 55 mg sodium; 1 g fiber.

Wild Rice Stuffing with Grapes and Hazelnuts

Servings: 12

• 2          cans (28 fluid ounces total) low-sodium chicken broth
• 1          cup wild rice
• 4          slices bacon, diced
• 1          tablespoon butter, unsalted
• 1          large onion, diced
• 2          stalks celery, diced
• 1 1/2    cups button mushrooms, sliced
• 2          cloves fresh garlic, minced
• 1          teaspoon fresh thyme, minced
• 1/4       teaspoon salt
• 1/4       teaspoon black pepper, ground
• 1/4       cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1          cup hazelnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped
• 2          cups California seedless grapes, picked from stem and rinsed

1. In heavy saucepan, bring chicken broth to boil. Add wild rice and stir. Cover pan and reduce heat to low. Let simmer 1 hour until rice is tender and has popped open.
2. In frying pan over medium heat, cook bacon until almost crisp, about 8-10 minutes.
3. Add butter to bacon pan then add onions, celery, mushrooms, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat 5-7 minutes until onions are translucent.
4. Remove from heat and fold in parsley, hazelnuts and grapes.
5. Add rice with any remaining liquid to frying pan and toss well to combine.

Nutritional information per serving: 166 calories; 5.4 g protein; 21 g carbohydrates; 8 g fat; 40% calories from fat; 1.4 g saturated fat; 8% calories from saturated fat; 5 mg cholesterol; 126 mg sodium; 2.6 g fiber.

A Sweet Solution for Busy School Days

(Family Features) The busy pace of back-to-school schedules can make it feel like nearly every aspect of life has you under a time crunch. Fortunately, when it comes to feeding the family, there are some simple foods you likely already have on hand that can provide easy solutions for snacks and mealtime alike.

A go-to fruit like California grapes is a fresh staple you can depend on because they are always ripe and ready to eat when you buy them. While grapes are indeed ideal for snacking because they hold, store and travel well, this healthy and delicious fruit is also a simple addition to meals throughout the day. Grapes require minimal preparation, so they’re equally easy as a side dish or as a fun way to deliver the fresh produce factor in a wide range of family-friendly recipes, such as these Grape and Ricotta Pita Pizzas.

Tips like these show how you can easily incorporate grapes into every meal:

Breakfast: A cup of creamy yogurt and crunchy granola takes on a sweet note when topped with a handful of grapes. Slice or quarter grapes then mix well for a medley of textures and flavors in every bite.

Morning snack: Pair grapes with cheese and crackers for a sweet and savory snack to keep your energy strong and your hunger in check until lunchtime.

Lunch: A handful of grapes can balance out a sandwich and add some sweet indulgence to the midday meal.

After school: Grapes offer hydration and quick energy so they’re the perfect way to fuel up for after school sports or to lend some extra brain power for study time.

Dinnertime rush: Use grapes for an easy side dish that goes with anything. A quick meal like grilled cheese and grapes brings out the kid in everyone.

Evening snack: Toward the end of the day, cravings can creep up but keeping a bowl of fresh grapes on hand for after dinner snacking helps avoid alternative salty, highly processed choices.

Find more great ideas for enjoying grapes throughout the day at grapesfromcalifornia.com.

Grape and Ricotta Pita Pizzas

Servings: 4

• 2          whole-wheat pita pocket breads (about 6 inches in diameter)
• 1          tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2       cup part-skim ricotta cheese, divided
• 1          cup seedless red or black California grapes, thinly sliced or halved
• 2          teaspoons honey
• 1          teaspoon lemon juice
• 6          large or 12 small fresh basil leaves, cut into ribbons

1. Heat oven to 450° F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Slice pita pockets in half so each forms two rounds, creating four rounds total. Place pita rounds on baking sheets cut-side up and brush top of each with oil.
3. Spread 2 tablespoons ricotta cheese on each pita, leaving about 1/2-inch border around edges then arrange sliced grapes in single layer on top of cheese. Bake until edges are crisped and cheese is warmed, 5-7 minutes.
4. In small bowl, stir together honey and lemon juice until honey is dissolved.
5. When pizzas are done, drizzle each with about 1/2 teaspoon honey-lemon mixture. Sprinkle basil on top of pizzas. Serve immediately.

Good Eats with Grapes

(Family Features) Heart-healthy foods can play a role in healthy aging. Whether you enjoy them by the handful as a refreshing snack or use them to add color, crunch and a touch of sweetness to a meal, grapes are a heart-healthy option that make eating better easy.

Grapes of all colors - red, green and black - are a natural source of beneficial antioxidants and other polyphenols. At just 90 calories per serving, they also contain no fat, no cholesterol and virtually no sodium.

With a juicy burst of flavor, grapes show how simple it can be to make good-for-you-dishes that also taste great. Even though California grapes are a snacking staple in most kitchens, you may not realize how versatile they can be for cooking. For example, grapes add a sweet touch to a crunchy yogurt salad and complement the bold spice on a skewer of grilled shrimp. Fresh, flavorful grapes even put a tangy, fresh twist on a soothing glass of iced tea.

Find more delicious recipes to make healthy eating easy at GrapesfromCalifornia.com.

Grapes and Brain Health

A grape-enriched diet helped protect against metabolic brain decline in Alzheimer's-related areas of the brain, according to research from the University of California-Los Angeles. The pilot study, funded by the California Table Grape Commission, was conducted among people with early memory decline and showed that subjects who didn't consume grapes exhibited significant metabolic decline in these critical regions. Additionally, those consuming the grape-enriched diet showed beneficial changes in regional brain metabolism that correlated to improvements in cognition and working memory performance, according to a report published by Experimental Gerontology.

Zahtar Shrimp and Grape Kabobs

Servings: 6

• 2 tablespoons zahtar
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
• 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 36-40 large shrimp (about 2 pounds), shelled and deveined
• 1 cup whole green California grapes
• 1 cup whole red California grapes

1. In medium bowl, combine zahtar, garlic, thyme, vinegar, honey, salt, pepper and olive oil. Whisk to combine. Add shrimp and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
2. Thread shrimp and grapes onto skewers. Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high.
3. Grill skewers, turning once, until shrimp are lightly charred and cooked through and grapes are caramelized but firm, about 2-3 minutes per side.

Nutritional information per serving: 190 calories; 20 g protein; 12 g carbohydrate; 6 g fat (28% calories from fat); 1 g saturated fat (5% calories from saturated fat); 180 mg cholesterol; 870 mg sodium; 1 g fiber.

Savory Yogurt with Grape and Cucumber Salad

Servings: 4

Dukkah:

• 1/3 cup raw cashews
• 1/3 cup hazelnuts
• 1/4 cup sesame seeds
• 2 tablespoons cumin seeds
• 2 tablespoons coriander seeds
• 2 tablespoons dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Yogurt:

• 3 cups plain, nonfat Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup green California grapes, halved
• 1/2 cup red California grapes, halved
• 1 cup English cucumber, diced
• 1 tablespoon minced shallot
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
• 4 tablespoons dukkah
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest

1. To make dukkah: Heat oven to 350 F. Spread cashews and hazelnuts on baking sheet and toast 6-8 minutes. Transfer to food processor and set aside. In skillet over medium heat, toast sesame seeds, cumin seeds and coriander seeds until fragrant, 1-2 minutes, then transfer to food processor. Add dried thyme and salt. Pulse mixture until coarsely ground. Makes about 1 cup that can be stored in an airtight container.
2. Divide yogurt into four 3/4-cup portions. In small bowl, combine grapes, cucumber, shallots, olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Toss to combine. Top each bowl of yogurt with 1/2 cup grape mixture, 1 tablespoon dukkah and sprinkle of lemon zest.

Nutritional information per serving: 220 calories; 19 g protein; 18 g carbohydrate; 8 g fat (33% calories from fat); 1.5 g saturated fat (6% calories from saturated fat); 10 mg cholesterol; 140 mg sodium; 2 g fiber.

Sparkling Hibiscus Tea with Grapes and Mint

Servings: 8

• 6 cups water, divided
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 6 hibiscus tea bags
• 2 cups green California grapes, divided
• 10 mint leaves
• 1 navel orange, sliced
• ice
• 16 ounces sparkling water

1. Using tea kettle or saucepan, bring 3 cups water and honey to boil. Add tea bags, turn off heat and steep 6-8 minutes. Remove tea bags and allow remaining liquid to cool 15 minutes.
2. In martini shaker or bowl, muddle 1 cup grapes with mint leaves. Add muddled grape and mint mixture to 48-60 ounce pitcher along with remaining water and orange slices. Stir in hibiscus tea mixture. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes. Strain before serving.
3. To serve, add ice to 8-ounce glass. Top with 3-4 grapes, 2 ounces sparkling water and hibiscus tea mixture.

Nutritional information per serving: 70 calories; 1 g protein; 16 g carbohydrate; 10 mg sodium; 1 g fiber.

A Simple Recipe Sweetener

With delicious California grapes as an ingredient, the possibilities are endless for trying different recipes in your kitchen. From creamy homemade parfaits to delightful appetizer platters and healthy fruit pizzas, grapes can be a tasty, easy way to incorporate nutrients into your meals, desserts and more. Or, if you’re looking for a simple treat, nutritious California grapes can make for a great standalone snack in three colors – green, red or black.

Find refreshing recipes and cooking tips at GrapesfromCalifornia.com.